Course Schedule

IPN students typically complete the program in 5 years, completing 23 credits of required courses and 11 credits of electives. Most of the required courses are taken in the first year, and the electives and statistics requirement are taken the second year.

Transfer Credit/Advanced Standing: A Ph.D. student may make a written request for the transfer of credit for specific applicable courses or apply for advanced standing. Please speak with program leadership and review the policy on transfer credit and advanced standing.

M.D./Ph.D. students: Consult the M.D./Ph.D. Course Schedule.

Jump To: Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Years 4-5

Year 1

Before July 1, register for all Fall 1 and Summer 1 courses listed below for health insurance purposes.

Summer 1

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 8001 Experiences in Neuroscience	0 (Pass/Fail)
NSCI 9985 NSCI Lab Rotation – Summer	0 (Pass/Fail)
	0 Credits

Review the BGE New Student Checklist – see IPN New Students for more information.
Attend the mandatory IPN orientation and BGE Summer Orientation.
Sign up to take the required Initial General Laboratory Safety Training Course before entering the labs.
Review the requirements and expectations of lab rotations.

Fall 1

Course Name	Credit(s)
INNS 6500 Basic Neuroscience I	4
NSCI 6510 Advanced Neuroscience I	2
NSCI 5001 Neuroscience Survey I	2
NSCI 5003 Critical Readings I	1
NSCI 5004 Neurobiology of Disease	2
NSCI 9986 NSCI Lab Rotation – Fall	0 (Pass/Fail)
	11 Credits

Send a Post-Rotation Form to the head of the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) for your first rotation.
Give a talk for the Student Seminar Series.
Register for Spring courses and your third rotation.

Spring 1

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 5005 Systems & Cognitive Neuroscience	6
NSCI 5006 Critical Readings II	1
NSCI 5007 Survey Skills & Ethics for Science	2
NSCI 5008 Organization of the Nervous System	1
NSCI 9987 NSCI Lab Rotation – Spring	0 (Pass/Fail)
	10 Credits

Send a Post-Rotation Form to the head of the SAC for your second rotation.
Give a Student Seminar Series talk about your second rotation.
Register for Summer 2 and decide between a fourth rotation or choosing a thesis lab.
Register for Fall 2 courses.
Take the Written Comprehensive Exam before the end of Year 1.

Year 2

Summer 2

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 9999 Thesis Research Consult the IPN Student Handbook to find the appropriate section. OR NSCI 9985 NSCI Lab Rotation – Summer	0 OR 0 (Pass/Fail)
	0 Credits

Send a Post-Rotation Form to the head of the SAC for your third rotation.
Give a Student Seminar Series talk about your third rotation.
Begin writing a grant proposal (i.e., NRSA, foundation).
Register for Fall 2 courses.

Fall 2

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 5009 Practical Data Analysis & Experimental Design	2
Fall elective course(s) Students must complete 11 credits of elective courses throughout the program.	1-9
NSCI 9999 Thesis Research Students with fewer than 9 credits of coursework must register for NSCI 9999 to maintain full-time status. Consult the IPN Student Handbook to find the appropriate section.	0
	3-11 Credits

Begin your thesis research.
Register for Spring 2 courses.

Spring 2

Course Name	Credit(s)
Spring elective course(s) Students must complete 11 credits of elective courses throughout the program.	1-9
NSCI 9999 Thesis Research Students with fewer than 9 credits of coursework must register for NSCI 9999 to maintain full-time status. Consult the IPN Student Handbook to find the appropriate section.	0
	1-9 Credits

Continue your thesis research.
Choose your Oral Committee members and schedule your Oral Exam.
Register for Summer 3 thesis research.

Year 3

Summer 3

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 9999 Thesis Research Consult the IPN Student Handbook to find the appropriate section.	0 (Pass/Fail)
	0 Credits

Organize your thesis committee and get SAC approval by August.
Register for Fall 3 thesis research.

Fall 3

Course Name	Credit(s)
NSCI 9999 Thesis Research Consult the IPN Student Handbook to find the appropriate section. After Fall 3, you will be automatically registered for Thesis Research (NSCI 9999) courses.	0 (Pass/Fail)
	0 Credits

Full-time Thesis Research (NSCI 9999).
Give your annual Student Seminar Series talk.
Set up the first meeting with your thesis committee and bring the completed GSAS Thesis Proposal form for approval.

Years 4-5

Full-time Thesis Research (NSCI 9999).
Meeting with your thesis committee.
Expect to submit your first manuscript before the end of Year 4.
Follow the steps to complete your degree.
In your second-to-last semester: Follow the Graduating Student Checklist to apply for graduation.
Receive your degree and attend Commencement.